ROCKLAND, Maine — The excitement is building for the 10th annual Pies on Parade, when 26 businesses throughout Rockland bring out the rolling pins to celebrate National Pie Day and raise money to help feed Maine’s “food challenged” community.

To celebrate the 10th year, organizers, Historic Inns of Rockland, are throwing a free pre-tour party 4-6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Trackside Station Restaurant, 4 Union St. A silent auction brimming with $5,000 in donated gift certificates and getaways (and of course some pies too!) along with pie-inspired cocktails and music will start the fundraising efforts for the weekend of Pie fun. All proceeds benefit the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program.

Trackside Station’s motto “where food and fun collide” will be especially true on Saturday as a silent auction plus food, libation and plenty of pie-cheer will be in store. A number of gift certificates to restaurants including Primo, The Landings, Cafe Miranda, Trackside Station, 3Crow and Park Street Grille will be on the silent auction table.

Other items include $100 gift cards to Eastern Tires, Fiore Artisan Olive Oils & Vinegars and Maritime Energy. The Schooner Morning In Maine has donated a harbor sail and the Schooner Stephen Taber has donated a five-day June Schooner Trip. Look forward to bidding on a Social Makeover from Dream Local, a year of dog washes from the Loyal Biscuit Co., golf for four at the Samoset, and gifts of wine and food from Breakwater Vineyards, and more. Of course each of the Historic Inns of Rockland will provide pies for auction and a highly coveted, hard-to-come-by apron featuring the Berry Manor Pie Moms and signed by Bobby Flay, along with other artworks and handmade items are among the one-of-a-kind items in the auction. There are too many items to mention, but restaurants, retailers and businesses throughout Rockland have generously donated $5000 in gifts and items to the auction. The Historic Inns of Rockland have created a grand prize including a two night stay, museum tickets, $50 in Midcoast money plus more. Those at the party can purchase raffle tickets for this grand prize and the winner will be drawn at the end of the party.

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Trackside Station will serve up a number of pie-inspired cocktails and donate 50 percent of the proceeds from the sale of these pie-licious concoctions to the AIO Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program. Look forward to:

Good ole’ Apple Pie-Dr. McGuillicuddy’s Intense Apple Pie, served on the rocks

The Pies on Parade Pre-Party and Silent Auction is free and all pie-revelers are encouraged to attend and extend their pie-bration to include Saturday.

The 10th Annual Pies on Parade Tour will take place the next day,Sunday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. Pies on Parade tickets sell out quickly and are expected to be completely sold out prior to the event. Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for children 10 and under and all funds from tickets sales go directly to the Area Interfaith Outreach Food Pantry and Fuel Assistance Program, serving families in Midcoast Maine. Tickets are available from the Historic Inns of Rockland only (not additional participating Rockland businesses) or by calling 596-6611 to reserve ahead. While there are still a few tickets available, organizers warn that tickets will not be available on the day of the event. So reserve tickets soon.